Project Description

Project CommuniTree is a new collaborative multi-organizational partnership in Northwest Indiana to plant trees in post-industrial communities in order to improve the local ecosystems and provide the benefits of trees to people. Starting with the work of Jess' ENV 261 Mixed Methods class in Spring 2017, LUFA is collaborating with the U. S. Forest Service's Drew Hart to evaluate the CommuniTree tree planting efforts. Tree planting provides communities with many benefits such as shade, stormwater management, air pollution reduction, and even human health benefits. However, how the benefits of trees relate to the social dynamics of the communities in which trees are planted is just beginning to be understood. In order to make sure that initiatives like CommuniTree most benefit the communities they wish to serve, it is important to evaluate tree planting in the context of the goals and desires not just of formal project partners but also of residents of neighborhoods in which trees are being planted. Through this research, LUFA will implement a long-term, mixed methods, community-based research project that will use a door-to-door household survey, semi-structured interviews with stakeholders, resident focus groups, and a tree re-inventory to evaluate and improve the efficacy of tree planting as it provides benefits to underserved Northwest Indiana communities. Data collection will begin in Summer 2017, so check back soon for project updates!

Funding

Internal Funding:

DePaul University College of Science and Health Research and Faculty Development Committee Faculty Summer Research Program (FSRP) - P.I.: Jess Vogt: $4,500 summer salary + $800 student travel support (2018)